The Patriot weapon system is about to get more powerful

More than a dozen nations are set to get themselves a more powerful and reliable Patriot Air and Defense Weapon system.

The Raytheon-made system is prized for being able to identify incoming threats like enemy aircraft, drones, tactical ballistic and cruise missiles. When it locks onto a target, the system unleashes state of the art missiles to destroy the threat before it can cause any harm.

Funded in part by 13 nations that use it including five NATO allies, the company said that the new system will feature a RadarDigital Processor, which will increase Patriot's reliability by 40 percent.

The amped up Patriot system will also be able to destroy all categories of threats and be better at detecting and identifying targets, the company said. Its Enhanced Weapons Control Computer will have 50 percent more computer power to help it better analyze and effectively address evolving threats.

The U.S. Army also confirmed that it's testing the enhancements and recently had a successful first flight test destroying tactical ballistic missiles.

Allison Barrie consults at the highest levels of defense, has travelled to more than 70 countries, is a lawyer with four postgraduate degrees and now the author of the new book "Future Weapons: Access Granted" covering invisible tanks through to thought-controlled fighter jets. You can click here for more information on FOX Firepower columnist and host Allison Barrie and you can follow her on Twitter @allison_barrie.